The Metropolitan Catholic Archbishop of Onitsha, Most Rev. Valerian Okeke, on Saturday dedicated a 10,000 seat-capacity church built by the Spiritual Director of Holy Ghost Adoration Ministries, Uke and Parish Priest of Blessed Iwene Tansi Parish, Fr Emmanuel Obimma, at Umudioka, Anambra State.

Archbishop Okeke in his homily observed that it is not only sacrifice to build for God, but a great privilege.

He recalled the story of David in the Bible who wanted to build a mighty temple for God which was rejected but his son, Solomon, accomplished the mission by building the temple.

He explained that Church dedication is a serious business reserved only for Bishops who represent Christ, the owner of the Church.

According to him, other priests can be delegated with numerous assignments like confirmation, burials and other highly spiritual functions but not church dedication.

While dedicating the church, the Archbishop prayed that all the people coming to the church to make supplication for any need or the other may receive positive answers from God while the afflicted in any form also find comfort in the church.

Personalities at the dedication of the Church of Blessed Iwene Tansi Parish, Umudioka, included the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Vice Presidential Candidate, Mr Peter Obi, Senators Victor Umeh, Uche Ekwunife and Stella Oduah.

Other notable clerics at the event were the Catholic Bishop of Minna Diocese, Martin Uzoukwu and Auxiliary Bishop of Onitsha Archdiocese, Dennis Isizor.

Earlier in his remarks, Fr Emmanuel Obimma (Ebube Muonso) hailed Archbishop Okeke for his fatherly role in the Archdiocese of Onitsha saying that it was God’s grace that saw him and the entire parishioners through to complete the church building in record time.

He thanked all the people that contributed towards the project and promised to always remember them in prayers.

He reeled out the names of the contributors to include Peter Obi, a former Anambra State Governor, who provided all the chairs inside the church and marble decorations; Senator Andy Uba representing Anambra South senatorial zone who provided fund for the interlocking of the entire compound while Senator Victor Umeh provided funds for the vestments worn by Reverend fathers for the event.

In his speech, the PDP Vice Presidential Candidate said to realise such a gigantic project under a recessed economy required a lot of hard work and dedication.

He said: “The greatest legacy of the church building is in the common purpose and spirit of generosity among the faith community under Obimma’s guidance.”

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